Sports Editor Brad Carroll takes a look at the top college football games of the dayLAST WEEK: 3-4 (spread); 5-2 (overall); 0-1 (upset picks)
THIS SEASON: 10-10-1 (spread); 15-6 (overall); 1-1 (upset picks)
No. 3 Georgia at Arizona State; 8 p.m.; ABC
The Skinny: Believe it or not, this is the farthest road trip since the 2000 Oahu Bowl for the Bulldogs. It’s also the first time under coach Mark Richt that the team will travel outside the Southeast for a non-conference game. No wonder Georgia gets little respect around the nation. Arizona State dropped out of the Top 25 after an embarrassing loss to UNLV last week, so this game lost all of its juice. It should be close, though. The Pick: Georgia (-7) wins it 24-21.
No. 4 Florida at Tennessee; 3:30 p.m.; CBS
The Skinny: Florida has owned Tennessee since coach Urban Meyer took over, winning all three games, including last season’s 59-20 rout in Florida. That trend should continue today as Tennessee just isn’t very good. The Vols returned to action last Saturday, after two weeks off following their loss to UCLA, and beat UAB 35-3. The offense registered 548 yards – against UAB. Florida, on the other hand, has both an offense and defense. The Pick: Florida (-7.5) wins it 33-20.
No. 6 LSU at No. 10 Auburn; 7:45 p.m., ESPN
The Skinny: The best tidbit about this series is that the home team has held court in each of the last 10 years – meaning Auburn should walk away with the victory tonight. Good for them, but bad for me, as I’m thinking LSU all the way. Two years ago on the road, LSU took a 7-3 defeat – a very Auburn-like score. This game is all about defense – shocker – and the question is whether or not LSU can score a TD. If they do, I think they’ll win. The Pick: LSU (-2.5) wins it 14-10.
No. 15 East Carolina at North Carolina State; 12 p.m.; ESPN
The Skinny: East Carolina probably took last week’s game against Tulsa lightly after pulling off two major upsets – over Virginia Tech and West Virginia – to start the season. ECU had to overcome four turnovers and a season-low offensive output to win 28-24. The Pirates should have their edge back today as N.C. State is an ACC team and beating them on the road would go a long way to a possible BCS berth. Still, the Pack will play well. The Pick: East Carolina (-7) wins it 31-27.
No. 18 Wake Forest at No. 24 Florida State; 7 p.m.; ESPN2
The Skinny: Wake Forest has won the last two games against Florida State, including a 30-0 drubbing on the road two years ago. This season, both squads have taken a different approach out of the gate. The Deacons beat Baylor and Mississippi State, while Florida State defeated a couple of I-AA cupcakes, so give the edge to Wake Forest tonight. FSU will be without six players stemming from cheating scandal last year as well. The Pick: Wake Forest (+5) wins it 28-21.
No. 20 Utah at Air Force; 4 p.m.; VERSUS
The Skinny: Air Force should change its name to Ground Force, as quarterback Shea Smith passed for a whopping 0 yards in last week’s 31-28 victory over Houston. Smith was 0-for-8, but did run for 93 yards and three TD’s. Air Force totaled 380 yards rushing overall. That might work against inferior competition, but it will be completely different today. The Pick: Utah (-9.5) wins it 35-14.
No. 25 Fresno State at Toledo; 8:15 p.m.; ESPNU
The Pick: Fresno State (-7) wins it 31-17. Brad’s brother, Craig Carroll, is back to defend his championship from a year ago. He finished with a 2-5 record last week, moving his season mark to 8-12-1. Here are his picks for the week: Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, East Carolina, Wake Forest, Utah, Fresno State.
(AP photo, top, Georgia's Asher Allen (2) celebrates his recovered fumble in the end zone with Akeem Dent (51) against South Carolina in the fourth quarter last Saturday.)
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